Wilkinson scoops another top award

Jonny Wilkinson was today named Investec Player Of The Year for the second successive time.

Wilkinson claimed the 2003 award in a ballot of leading players organised by the International Rugby Players' Association. The fly-half tallied 262 points to beat All Blacks Carlos Spencer (117 points), Doug Howlett (89), Joe Rokocoko (45) and Richie McCaw (44) and Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll (38).

Judging for all categories covers the 12-month period from 1 October 2002 until 31 September this year and international players voting on a 3-2-1 basis, although they cannot vote for people in their own team. Wing Rokocoko was named Newcomer Of The Year and New Zealand pipped England to be named Team Of The Year.

Try Of The Year, as judged by former Australian scrum-half, Nick Farr-Jones, was Chris Patterson's score for Scotland against South Africa in June.

Investec IRPA Player Of The Year: Jonny Wilkinson (England).
Investec IRPA Newcomer Of The Year: Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand).
Investec IRPA Team Of The Year: New Zealand.
Investec IRPA Try Of The Year: Chris Patterson (Scotland). Investec IRPA Special Merit Award: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand).